The owner of a childcare business operating in areas including Reservoir and West Preston is being taken to court for allegedly underpaying five staff members a total of more than $15,000.
The Fair Work Ombudsman has launched legal action against Vivien Mahomet, owner and operator of Academy for Kids, which offers before and after-school care and holiday programs at a number of sites throughout Melbourne.
It’s alleged she reneged on verbal agreements on the rate of pay for five casual employees at her West Preston, Reservoir and Glen Waverley branches between June and December last year.
Proceedings have been filed in the Federal Circuit Court. The case has been adjourned for a directions hearing on February 17.
All employees were in their 30s or 40s, held a certificate III in children’s services and were employed on a casual basis to supervise the children, implement activities, prepare meals and undertake general cleaning
duties.
They were allegedly paid less than the minimum rate of pay for people employed as casuals in the children’s services and early-education industry and weren’t paid for weeks.
Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James alleges Ms Mahomet committed multiple breaches of workplace laws, and the significant amounts involved and her failure to rectify the matter were factors in the decision to start legal action.
Child Care Centres Association of Victoria chief executive Frank Cusmano said it was unacceptable for any employer to under-pay staff.
“Thankfully, it’s fairly rare,” he said. “Something like this comes as a surprise to me. Their entitlements are enshrined in awards.”
Darebin council’s community development director, Katrina Knox, said the council had no involvement with Academy for Kids, which is an independent commercial operator.
Ms Mahomet faces fines of up to $6000 for each breach of workplace law.
The Fair Work Ombudsman is seeking a court order for her to back-pay the employees the full amount they are owed.
When contacted by the Weekly, Ms Mahomet said she was unaware of the proceedings against her.
